Mossberg 500 / 590 Series Shotgun Safety Screw Removal

Ever wanted to get rid of that one-way screw on your Mossy Shottie?

[@paintbooths87]

Your video was not the first I saw. You were, however, the first to make one very important comment (make sure the fore end slide is all the way to the rear, or the safety will fall down inside when you remove the screw from the switch). For a few minutes I thought I was going to have to disassemble to fish it out. But I did not have to. Using a piece of wire, I managed to orient the safety mechanism back into its proper position (by holding the little Maverick upside down) at which time I was able to carefully move the slide to the rear, which held the safety block in position. I then turn it back over, installed the detent sprint and ball, placed the safety switch in position, and installed the screw. Once I had the slide to the rear holding the safety block in place, it was back together in less than a minute.

[@vita.libertas]

Yes. I put it in my video because, like you, I learned the hard way! Glad you were able to work it out!

[@Nykodymus1778]

I was ready to cut and break off that stupid stock safety on my shockwave until I saw your video. Clear, Concise, and to the point. I happened to have that screw driver and some masking tape so I decided to give your method a go. With much cursing and a bruised palm from forcing the screw driver down so hard while I was turning it, it finally broke loose and came out smoothly. My most sincere thanks to you sir! Your video demonstration saved me a lot of time and wasted effort.

[@vita.libertas]

I'm very happy to have helped! It's amazing how one simple idea with me thinking "I can't be the only one who is dealing with this" and I can make a video on my phone as an experiment has led to literally thousands of video views over the years. I am truly humbled.

[@johnsurgenor6291]

Get rid of the plastic safety ! There is some nice alloy thumb safeties out there.

[@redrfc4057]

Just took my screw out using your method. Worked great, thanks for posting this. A lot better then everyone else taping the screw out with a screwdriver and hammer.

[@vita.libertas]

Thank you! I’m glad to hear it helped!

[@Fister_of_Muppets]

Same here, or other videos I have seen where people strip the entire gun. This was much simpler.

[@Docjam23]

I couldn't get either method to work, it just tore through the masking tape and the masking tape spun with the screwdriver not the screw. I have no idea how I'm going to get this screw out to replace the safety.

[@toddheins9233]

Thank you for this video!! I changed the safeties on my 590A1 and my 930 using your technique with NO issues. Awesome!

[@vita.libertas]

Awesome! Glad to hear it!

[@gabrielfried4807]

Major kudos to you for posting this!!!!! Worked like a charm! I initially envisioning drilling it and using an easy-out. Can't believe how well it worked. Had the slide retracted, used the correct fitting Brownells screwdriver bit and voila! Again, many thanks!

[@vita.libertas]

Awesome! Glad I could help out!

[@Channel-ru5so]

Perfect! I just did it. Didn't have masking tape handy, so I used dry wall joint tape folded over 4 times. Not a scratch on the screw. Worked right away. Thanks!

[@vita.libertas]

Glad to hear it! You're welcome!

[@richardrudolph9160]

Love the masking tape trick. Didn’t like the idea of beating it with a hammer to get the screw out. Thanks agin, works like a champ.

[@vita.libertas]

Awesome! Glad to hear it.

[@sysreq0]

Thanks for posting this! Just swapped the safety on my Mossberg 590 using your method. Could not have gone more quickly/easily. Kudos!

[@vita.libertas]

I'm glad I could help Sebastien!

[@anthonychen2483]

I followed your technique and replaced mine successfully! Awesome video and thanks a bunch!

[@vita.libertas]

You're welcome! I'm happy it helped!

[@joefiandaca3060]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I watched so many more that were much more involved. It took me under 5 minutes to swap out the original for a NDZ Enhanced Tactical Safety.

[@vita.libertas]

You’re welcome Joe! I’m glad to hear it!

[@BaconJunkie1]

Thank you so much for sharing this, it worked like a charm! I didn't have masking tape but used this cloth bandage type tape and it worked.

[@vita.libertas]

You're welcome! I'm glad it helped.

[@HK-yd6jg]

I used a spring loaded punch and it worked pretty well

[@watcherx990]

Thanks for this video, have been dreading trying to remove this screw...followed your video and removed the screw from my new Shockwave with no problems, and also did the same with my 21 yr old 590A1 (took a little more effort, but still worked flawlessly). Thanks again.

[@vita.libertas]

You're welcome! I'm glad I could help.

[@davidgriffin4926]

Didn't do the tape but was able to loosen the screw without any problem using the 7/32 flat head. Thank You for your post. After reading all the other horror stories I was really dreading doing this.

[@vita.libertas]

You're welcome. I'm glad it helped!

[@JF-fn2jq]

Great tip with the tape! Thanks for sharing!

[@vita.libertas]

I'm glad it helped!

[@billmitchell7785]

Great video, watched it twice. Thanks.

[@vita.libertas]

I'm glad it helped!

[@ItalianAvalanche]

Man you made that look SO easy

[@vita.libertas]

Hopefully that is a good thing. I made the video because I saw issues other people were having and the most common gotchas like not having the action open and losing the safety mechanism in the receiver -- which has happened to me. Somebody has had an issue with Mossberg using so much thread-lock that they couldn't get the screw out with any method.

[@MicahHegland]

thanks for the video Cory!

[@vita.libertas]

I’m glad it helped!

[@ashton6478]

Not gonna lie I got pissed off trying to do mine so I took an angle grinder with cutting wheel to it. Worked great

[@Dustedpages2]

I did get mine off. Wanted to replace the plastic safety! Why would mossberg cheap out on a safety switch?? Purchased the aluminum NDZ! Man what an improvement. Anyway the masking tape trick didnt work for me and I actually walked away from it the first day. Was really afraid i was going to round the screw completely. Day two found a screwdriver that was the same size as the screw head itself and I mean exactly. Add pressure and I mean a lot of pressure. The instructions that came with the new safety said tap with a hammer!! What no way I'm tapping this thing with a hammer. I surrounded the area around the safety with masking tape in case the screw driver slipped. Finally the screw started to move! What a relief!!! Perhaps some arent as tight as mine and the masking tape trick will work. My advice take your time this is not something to be hurried. Good luck.

[@vita.libertas]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@stc06]

Works great using cloth tape (hockey tape) too. Masking tape kept ripping/twisting for me.

[@vita.libertas]

Thanks for the update on what worked for you!

[@Drspank89]

I used some of that rubbery tape that you stretch to activate. I think a rubber elastic would have worked fine as well! Thanks for the tip it sure doesnt work without something to increase contact!

[@vita.libertas]

You're welcome! I'm glad it helped!

[@pensnut08]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@vita.libertas]

Absolutely!! I'm glad I could help!

[@cjanquart]

Always good to watch the video or read instructions completely before beginning. Great tip to use tape to get that safety screw out, I did the "pound it to get a bite in the screw" technique but fortunatly had my action locked rearward. I don't see the point of removing the safety and simply replacing the screw; if you're going to do this get an enhanced safety from CDM Gear or the extended safety from Mossburg (IIRC I got mine from Brownells).

[@vita.libertas]

Yes, going through the video once before you do it is very helpful. The action locked rearward before you start is a big learning I had from making the video. I totally forgot to lock the action back and I knew you needed to. I had to spend a good few minutes sweating the small stuff while fishing things out of the receiver. I made sure I edited that section to add that reminder into the video. There are a lot of good replacement safeties out there. I'm kind of partial to the ProMag PM262.

[@cjanquart]

@@vita.libertas The ProMag looks almost identical to the Mossburg enhanced safety (I have no idea why that isn't a OEM part). I tried an a "diamond" design (can't recall the brand/manufacturer) but didn't like the finish. The CDM Gear comes in three sizes and I opted for the SL Wave (kinda looks like a fish!) because it isn't silly bulky like the other two (Delta and BT). Long as what you you've got works, have at it.

[@SergeyKasimov]

@@vita.libertas can you add a video what is the action locked rearward looks like that is the most confusing part

[@vita.libertas]

@@SergeyKasimov it is very simple. The action locked rearward is when you pump the action all the way back as if you were going to load a round into the chamber. It would expose the empty chamber so that you could put a shell in it.

[@SergeyKasimov]

@@vita.libertas so just pull it toward you? and the chamber opens up? I am at loss how to move that screw out maybe they got some tool to open this thing

[@Rx_Vitamin_R]

Slide back AND Safety ON

[@imhardscope7965]

Well damn. I went did it along with the video and my pump was completely slid forward

[@vita.libertas]

That's not the worst thing in the world. You just need to recover the safety block from inside the receiver. I've done that before! That's where my warning on the video comes from. Just take your time and get it back in position.

[@Z3R0NU11]

Genuinely about to give up, everyone gives the Same advice but no matter what I do, what screw or hammer I use I cannot get this thing free. 45 minutes is too much time for this. Gonna try again tomorrow

[@vita.libertas]

That sucks! Sounds like your screw received a drizzle of thread tightener instead of a drop. You might need a heat gun but be careful of the plastic safety!

[@Z3R0NU11]

@@vita.libertas i eventually got it off, you were right. Whoever installed it put the largest amount of blue loctite they reasonably could. I was able to knock it out with a rubber mallet while I placed it between my legs. If this experience has told me anything it’s to get a gun vice

[@vita.libertas]

@@Z3R0NU11 I'm glad you were able to get it free! A huge goober of thread lock is the only reason I've seen why people can't get the screw out. Yes, a vice is a great tool to have if you're going to be doing firearms work, saving hours of frustration.

[@joeanderson3423]

Ditto on what Red RFC said !

[@vita.libertas]

Joe Anderson I’m glad it helped out!

[@glee086able]

Didn't work for my Mossberg 500A Persuader. Not as easy as portrayed. I unfortunately ended up having to break the plastic safety in order to get it off. Then you have to deal with the residual plastic surrounding the one way screw...while not scratching your firearm, which I unfortunately did. Be careful, prepared and well informed when doing this. Its NOT as simple as it appears.

[@bgc23]

Interesting!!!!

[@jwc3166]

Having an issue where my screwdriver is tearing through the tape and spinning without having a bite on the screw. I’m using a 3/16” driver, so slightly smaller than your 7/32”. Is that making any difference in the result?

[@vita.libertas]

It may be. It also could be your screw received an overdose of thread lock or torque at the factory. I’ve seen both happen.

[@henryscreations]

where can the replacement screw be found at??

[@vita.libertas]

Do a search on eBay for Mossberg 590 safety screw and you should be able to find some sellers.

[@fgrdn]

this really helped me to unscrew this button. thanks!

[@vita.libertas]

Awesome! I'm glad it helped!

[@michaelzschoche2746]

How long does the screw need to be?

[@vita.libertas]

It depends on the screw you replace it with. For example you could use a #6-32 x 5/16" low head socket cap screw that would fix perfectly. The safety block has a threaded hole through the middle for the screw to attach, so a bit longer than 5/16" is fine too. You're probably good up to 1/2" before the screw will stick out of the bottom of the safety block.